A devotional from David Crane, president and CEO, Adventist Midwest Health

Walk the Talk

Walk the Talk (walkthetalk.com) is an organization that provides resources for leaders. Recently in one of their newsletters appeared the following which is applicable to many areas and phases of life. I hope it encourages and inspires.

“Everyone wants it, everyone needs it. It’s a critical building block of good character…and it’s something that many of us could stand to ratchet up a little. It is RESPECT.

As we see it, there are two types of respect. First is basic human respect – the kind you’re entitled to merely by being born. Everyone deserves it equally because through birth, everyone is equal – we’re all living, breathing human beings. The first type of respect is based on the fact that other people’s needs, hopes, rights, dreams, ideas, and inherent worth are just as important and valuable as our own. And it’s demonstrated by treating others with dignity and courtesy.

The second type of respect is one that we EARN by our actions. This is different from the first type because it’s based on who we are (the quality of our characters) rather than what we are (human beings); it comes from behavior rather than mere birth. Accordingly, if we want our judgment, opinions, and skills respected, we have to earn that by demonstrating judgment, opinions, and skills that are respectable. If we want to be respected for our dependability, we must earn that respect by consistently BEING dependable. And, if we wish to be respected and values-driven people, we must earn that respect as well – by continually “walking our talk.”